Answer TRUE, FALSE Or NOT SURE to the Questions Below

M E R R Y L A N D S H I G H S T Y L E ! PRE-LEARNING QUIZ:

Answer TRUE, FALSE or NOT SURE to the questions below:

Question… TRUE FALSE NOT SURE 1) Most young people are sexually active in some way 2) Most school aged young people are having sex 3) Most young people can say no to unwanted sexual contact 4) Most young people are drunk or high when they have sex 5) Approximately half of Year 10 – 12 students have engaged in oral sex 6) Approximately half of Year 10 – 12 students have engaged in penis-vaginal sexual intercourse 6) It can be difficult to determine your sexuality 7) STI infections are on the decrease in Australian young people 8) A person could have an STI without showing any signs or symptoms 9) Approximately 10% of students were either attracted to the same sex, both sexes or were unsure of their sexuality

Read the information below to see if you were right!

Sexual behaviour Results of the 3rd National Survey of Australian Secondary Students, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health (NSASS 2002) reveal the majority of young people in Years 10 and 12 are sexually active in some way. Approximately four in five students experienced deep kissing and two thirds had experienced sexual touching. Student experience of sexual intercourse was reported by 34.7% of all Year 10 and 12 students and experience of oral sex was reported by 45.5%. Of those students who had reported being sexually active, 52.1% reported that they always used a condom. Using a condom was lower in Year 12 compared with Year 10. This

could be linked to reported higher rates of use of the contraceptive pill and less sexual partners in Year 12.

In the survey, students also reported high levels of confidence in their ability to say no to unwanted sex and to convince a partner to use condoms. However, 25.9% of all sexually active students reported that they have had unwanted sex at some time in their lives. Most common reasons cited were being too drunk (15.9%) and pressure from a sexual partner (12.6%).

The majority of students reported overwhelmingly positive feelings in relation to their most recent sexual encounter. While, in relation to their most recent sexual encounter, 22.7% indicated they were drunk or high at the time. Sexual health knowledge Knowledge of sexually transmissible infections among young people remains poor but has improved over the last 5 years. Areas of concern relate to common infections including Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes simplex virus and genital warts. The incidence of STIs is increasing in Australia, and of particular concern is the incidence of Chlamydia infection. Infection has more than doubled between 2000 and 2004 to over 35 000 notifications, with one of the largest increases noted in girls aged 15-19 years. The prevalence of STIs amongst young people in Australia makes the reported deficiency in STIs knowledge a concern. Without accurate knowledge of STIs students are unable to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

School programs need to focus on teaching STI information, identifying how students can protect themselves from being infected and rectifying any misconceptions. For many years teachers have displayed detailed pictures of weeping sores and rashes to show what a person infected with a sexually transmissible infection looks like. This has sent the message to students that you can tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them. With asymptomatic STIs, such as Chlamydia, this is not the case. Students need to understand that a person could have an STI without showing any signs or symptoms. They also need to explore the implications of this on sexual behaviour. Sexuality Sexuality refers to all those experiences, attitudes, feelings and reactions that relate to a person’s identity. It may also refer to a person’s sexual orientation and sexual behaviour. Exploring and discovering your sexuality can be confusing, exciting, difficult and wonderful. But sometimes it can be difficult to work out who you are attracted to. The following links will help answer any questions you have about sexuality:

 I think I might be gay, lesbian or bi sexual o www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=306  Sexuality o www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=292&id=2362

Activity:

Watch the film clip and answer the following questions:

1. What messages do TV programmes and films give us about sex? 2. What messages are in the media about young people having sex? 3. Do you think we are influenced by what we read and see on film and TV about sex? If so how? Activity: WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN A PARTNER?

Tick the boxes, which apply to you:

Romance Sexual closeness Watch the film clip and hear about what other students look for in a partner and if girls and boys are looking for different things. Intimacy Friendship

Excitement Closeness

Honesty Affection

Respect Love

Happiness To be listened to

Trust Commitment

Extension – MARKING-THE-TEXT

Download the text version of the video. Mark with a straight line all the things you agree with. Mark with a squiggly line all the things you disagree with.

We use our thoughts, feelings and actions to take in information and to react to the situations we are faced with. Our thoughts are our opinions and conclusions; what we understand and have experienced. Emotions such as happiness, love, sadness and anger, are examples of our feelings . These are separate from our thoughts. What we do, what we say, or what other people can see, are our actions. Our thoughts, feelings and actions all work together. Many times the process of thoughts, feelings, and actions reacting together happens so fast that we forget they are all separate.

Activity:

Read the journal entries of the four teenagers below. Hear their thoughts, listen to their feelings and see how they react to certain situations and then answer the associated questions: Journal entries

Journal entry selected:

Joe’s journal

Name: Joe

Age: 18 years of old

Interests: Sport and catching up with friends.

Lives: Coastal town

6 August

Liz and I are going out to celebrate our 6 months anniversary! She’s been really cool about us and being together – you know….sex and stuff. I just don’t know if I am ready for it, but I’m finding it harder to stop and I don’t know if I want to stop. 7 August

I don’t know what’s wrong with me! It was all happening, but when the time came I just couldn’t. No one else seems to be so concerned about having sex – so why am I?

10 August

I've been thinking about my relationship with Liz. I know that I want to have sex with Liz, but just not yet. I see lots of stuff on TV and in the mags. Some kids say you should wait but others go on about how cool it is……. But then I think about my parents and their expectations for me and how having sex before I get married will go against everything I’ve been brought up to believe. Liz and I have talked about it, she wants to and I think it will bring us closer together. So I guess I have to decide whether I’m ready - I know my body wants to!

1 September

It happened – it just happened! I don’t know how I feel about it. I mean it was great, BUT………. now I am feeling confused about whether it was the right thing to do. There are so many thoughts running through my head… Will it happen again? Were we safe? What if I say no? What will my parents think if they found out? I really care about Liz, but now I’m starting to think about all the extra stuff that comes with having sex….

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1) What does Joe mean when he talks about ‘all the extra stuff that comes with sex’? 2) Do you think that Joe’s thoughts & feelings are reflected in his actions? Why/Why not? 3) What happens next? Write the next two journal entries for Joe. 4) What are the implications of Joe’s actions on his relationships? 5) Write a journal for Liz including the time both before and after she and Joe had sex.

Name: Julie Age: 17 years of old Julie’s journal Interests: Dance parties and music.

Lives: City suburbs. 5 August - I went to another rave last night with my friends. We always have heaps of fun. I met this hot guy; we danced for ages and then ended up having sex. It felt fine, I wanted to have sex. I was prepared, I had a condom and he was happy to wear it. All the safe sex boxes ticked but I doubt I’ll see him again.

September 20 - A great night out with my friends again last night. We had so much fun just hanging around Kim’s place dancing and talking. The guys are such idiots but they had us in stitches all night. Muzza and Mick are mad, they’re so funny.

12 October - We went to a rave last night. It was really mad. Loads of people, everyone having fun. There was heaps’ going on, stuff I can’t even bring myself to think about, but like, I know I have to…..

15 October - So here goes, Muzza and I have been good friends for ages, but the other night….well he’s just ruined everything. A few of us were at Kim’s place, and everyone was making comments and flirting with each other. The guys started egging Muzza on about him liking me and that he should have a go. He came over and asked me to go outside. I went with him, there was no-one around and he kissed me. I tried to push him off but I couldn’t. His hands were all over me. I said ‘No’ over and over again but he didn’t stop. I don’t remember much, but after he finished he just walked away.

18 October - Kim keeps calling and texting wanting to know what’s going on. I think she knows something’s wrong, but I can’t talk to her right now. I know it’s been ages, maybe next time.

1 November - Answered Kim’s call today, she said she was coming straight over. I wish I had talked to her sooner. She was great! She told me it wasn’t my fault and that she was sorry for not being able to help me. We talked about heaps of stuff and my head feels a lot clearer now. She told me about different health services that could help me – like the ‘about date rape’ website where I can find out heaps of info and get links to other services like telephone help lines. We also talked about reporting what happened to the police – but I don’t know……..

2 November - I spent a lot of time on the web today, searching information about date rape and stuff. I am worried that I could have a STI…. Now what do I do? I didn’t even think about that. Kim told me to see my doctor or to go to the Family Planning Clinic – I guess I will, I can’t ignore it can I?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1) What thoughts and feelings would Julie be experiencing? 2) What are the issues Julie is facing? 3) What happens next for Julie? Write the next two journal entries for Julie. 4) What are the implications of the situation for Julie, Muzza, Kim and their friends? 5) Develop a journal for Muzza including the time both before and after he had sex with Julie.

John’s journal Name: John

Age: 16 years of old

Interests: Computers, Internet, computer games and reading.

Lives: Inner city

3 March - I don’t think I’m like the other guys at school. They all seem so sure of themselves and confident in who they are. I don’t know, maybe I’m just going through some stuff that everyone goes through, but I think I might be gay. There’s no one I can talk to – they’d all freak. My being gay is just not an option for my family or friends.

5 March - I really need someone to talk to– surely there must be other guys feeling the same stuff as me? My mates were all going on about their latest conquests and targets today, what could I say – I’m pursuing Fred from the footy team, I DON’T THINK SO! But that’s a good question. How do I know if another guy is feeling the same stuff as me? I can’t just come out and ask – I’d get my face smashed in……

7 March - There ARE guys out there just like me and feeling the same stuff as me!!!! I met this really cool guy Arley, last night on the net. We talked about heaps of stuff. But the best part was he understood how I am feeling right now. No-one else seems to understand me. I’ve been feeling really alone and isolated. But I don’t feel like that now. Surely the net is not the only place that I can meet people. I know that I feel comfortable and safe on the net, but maybe I should just put myself out there. I think I might ask him to meet me. It could all blow up in my face, but it’s worth the risk. How do other people meet guys?

8 March - I met Arley today, he seems really cool. We planned to meet up again this weekend. He really likes me for me and finally I’ve found someone who understands me and knows what I’m going through. He is a bit more experienced than me – I think I want more than to just be friends. I have heaps of questions in my head. Do I tell him how I am feeling? How do I know if he’s feeling the same way? How do I protect myself? Is this what I want? Is there anyone else that I can talk to?

1.Why do you think John is worried about what people may think? 2. What happens next? Write the next two journal entries for John. 3. What are the implications for John and his relationships? 4. Where can or should John go for advice and support? Develop a list of community and other resources that would be available to advise and support John. Name: Jess Jess’s journal Age: 15 years of old

Interests: Shopping and reading magazines.

Lives: country town.

17 January - Spiro is soooo cool; we’ve been together for 3 weeks now. He is 21. He has a car, he has money and he knows so much stuff about everything. I love spending time with him. My friends think he’s pretty good also. He drives us places and helps us out when we need it. I know that my parents would freak if they knew he was my boyfriend. I wish my parents could see the good things in him that I do. All they would see is that he’s so much older than me. They think I’m not old enough to have a boyfriend. They reckon I will end up in trouble or something – yeah right! I can take care of myself. Spiro will always look after me!

25 January - Mum tried to talk to me about guys today. She wanted to know all this stuff that is just none of her business. I told her to stay out of my life and to leave me alone. Well that went done like a lead balloon didn’t it. Then dad came in and sat me down for one of his talks. He went on about values and what was right and wrong and a whole lot of other crap about talking to each other and working things out so that we are all happy. But I know what that means, working it out so that I give in to what they want! Well my answer is no! So I snuck out afterwards and went to Spiro’s place. We had sex, not for the first time, but still it was like I was getting back at my parents. I wish I could talk to them, but they are so single minded and won’t listen to me. I don’t understand why it’s alright for my brother Ed to have a girlfriend who is 4 years younger than him……..but not for me to go out with someone. I wish they would let me make my own decisions.

2 February - Kath and I went for a walk today. It was great to spend some time with her just talking about stuff. She listened to me go on about my parents and how unfair they are. But she said something that shocked me – she said that Spiro was breaking the law by having sex with me and that he could get arrested. I don’t get it, what’s so wrong about me having a relationship with Spiro – it feels like the whole world is against me.

12 February - I just checked my calendar………..I’m late. What do I do now? I can’t go to mum or dad, they’ll flip out! What do I do? Who do I see? What do I say to them? Help!

1. Do you think that Jess’ thoughts and feelings are reflected in her actions? Why / Why not? 2.What happens next? Write the next two journal entries for Jess. 3.What are the implications of Jess’ actions on her relationships? 4.Review Jess’ journal entries and suggest where and how she could have changed her thoughts, feelings and actions to result in a different outcome. 5.Provide a detailed list of where can Jess go for support and help.